Phil Henry

Hi, I’m looking for help in confirming that the ‘63 SWC that I plan to purchase is in fact a 340 HP non fuel injection engine.

I don’t believe the FI prefix refers to fuel injection as I have seen fuel injected cars with FO and FI as the prefix. My understanding is the last two letters denote the engine code. In my case, RE is for the 340HP 327 carburetor engine. Any help is appreciated as I typically buy newer gen Corvettes so this is a bit new to me.

TAlvarez

The "F" prefix is for the Flint engine plant. The "I" is acutally used as a numeral 1. So the pad reads Flint plant, December 3rd build date and RE is for the L76 (340 HP) motor.

Ted

68sixspeed

I am not enough of an expert to say if a trim plate is original or not, rivets, stamps etc, but I will say the dates for the engine assy are inline with my car built shortly after this one, same with the body number vs my trim plate. Also on the engine stamp the fonts look consistent with mine although a straight on picture would help. Have you checked the casting date and p/n on the engine block rear? mine is very close to the assy date, 2 days before.

Phil Henry

Hi, thanks for the quick replies. So far, everything checks out. Tomorrow I will receive additional pictures including the casting date and engine block p/n. Car is across the country so requesting additional pictures as needed.

68sixspeed

If the car is represented as original transmission it would be good to get a picture of that stamp and other cast in dates etc on the trans. (Should be a T10 4 speed trans for this car)

Rear end stamp will tell you mfg date and gear ration/posi (stamped on the bottom edge of the flange viewable by the spring), casting date on the rear end is on the side. A lot of 63's had rear end failures so it is not uncommon to find swaps there, and without a vin stamped it is not as critical to the value as the motor/trans.

SupremeDeluxe

I’d say the pad and trim tag are most likely original. Better pics could remove any doubt.

1969RAY

And I would agree with SupremDeluxe...

mapman

Phil

Trim Tag you posted is a reproduction - not an original Trim Tag.

Below is an image of an original tag, Note font differences between tag you posted and this one.

"M" in "TRIM" is easy to spot - center stroke should extend to base of "M".

NCRS Trim Tag book would be worthwhile in helping you to identify fake tags. Avoid an expensive mistake.

Sharper engine stamp photo would help (evidence of machining marks).

Mapman

SupremeDeluxe

I agree with @mapman --that "M" in "TRIM" is not normal, but it looks like it's physically damaged to me rather than a repro tag. The only absolute conclusion I can draw from that photo, is that a better photo is needed.

The "N" in paint is something else that is wrong on most repro tags--this one looks OK. Not sure, however, if more recent repros have corrected that obvious flaw.

Here is one of my 63's for reference, which has been validated:

Phil Henry

Hi, really appreciate all the help! Here is a better picture. Looks like the center stroke of the M is correct in this image.

gold63

The Trim Tag Body number that you show lines up perfectly with this cars serial number when compared to others that were built close to it that I have recorded.
I had this '63 recorded from some years ago.

Phil Henry

Thanks gold63! Great info to know as well as a sense of comfort.